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It’s spring! And the first four-day weekend is just around the corner. It is time to celebrate Easter for another year and, as ever, everyone is looking forward to Easter Bank Holiday (6^th – 9^th April 2012). Easter bunnies, Easter egg hunts, Easter Sunday Lunches, family entertainment, short breaks, everyone is making plans for the long weekend! 

Most people celebrate by stuffing their faces with one too many Easter eggs. However, there are others ways to enjoy the first spring time holiday. If you are searching for ideas to fit into your calendar, here are a few great ideas to consider; 

Kew Gardens – Join the annual chocolate egg hunt, chocolate making, face painting, themed tours on the Kew Explorer and storytelling in the Temple of Imagination. Alternatively, get a breath of fresh air with a self-guided walk around the botanical gardens, and let the kids loose on the new Tree-house Towers play area. 

The Fabergé Big Egg Hunt – London will be hosting the world’s biggest-ever egg hunt this Easter. Join the race to find the 200 giant decorated Easter eggs located a throughout the capital. To add extra grandeur to this event, the eggs have been created by some of the most famous names such in fashion and design including Marc Quinn, Chapman brothers, Mulberry, Sir Ridley Scott, Zandra Rhodes and many more. Each egg has a unique SMS keyword which you send to a dedicated text number. The search for designer eggs at Fabergé Easter egg hunt across London is on. Participants have a chance of winning a Fabergé Diamond Jubilee Egg worth more than £100,000. 

E4 Udderbelly Festival 2012 – Enjoy the return of this great three month festival of stand-up comedy, cabaret, music and dance on London’s South Bank. The Udderbelly brings some of the best UK and international acts to London. Staged in an inflatable purple cow, the 410-capacity Udderbelly tent is in the shape of an upside-down purple cow – sits on the banks of the Thames between the London Eye and Royal Festival Hall. Don’t miss fantastic shows at this unique venue. Some of the acts at this year’s events include Tim Minchin, Andi Osho, Havana Rumba, Friday Night Freakshow and many more. 

The Passion at Trafalgar Square – Taking place on the 6^th of April (12 noon and 3:15pm), you can celebrate the start of Easter at Passion in the Square – a free recreation of the dramatic events surrounding the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. With over 70 actors taking part and a variety period costumes, this open air play is a great events for those who would like to reconnect with the story at the heart of the Easter holidays.

 Soul by the Sea Brighton’s Easter Festival 2012 – Held on Brighton’s seafront by Madeira Drive on the 7-8th April 2012, this Festival includes performances from leading artists and entertainers. This Easter Festival held in Brighton is. However, it is a two day festival with the Saturday 7^th April (11am-5.30pm) being a celebration of Easter through music and performing arts for all ages. On Easter Sunday, from 2pm-5pm, you will get the chance to see the Passion of Christ play similar to “The Passion at Trafalgar Square”. 

Easter Skate Eggstravaganza – Starts at 7pm Friday 6th April 2012 on Good Friday with the Long Good Friday Night Skate - a 3 hour skate past London’s most-loved visitor attractions which leaves from Hyde Park Corner. The Easter Bunny Stroll on Easter Sunday starts at 2pm and is the one to get dressed up for. Bunny girls (and boys) will strut their stuff on an 8 mile relaxed roll on a high profile route around London’s West End. As it is Easter Sunday, after the skate there’s an Egg & Spoon Race on Serpentine Road in Hyde Park. And the evening fun continues at 7pm with the Easter Bunny Party for boogieing bunnies! 

The Boat Race – with over 300,000 spectators expected, this a great events for those looking for a sporty outdoor event in London. This is the 158th Boat Race between crews from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. First raced in 1829 The Boat Race is one of the oldest sporting events in the world. Witness the four-and-a-quarter-mile course from Putney to Mortlake on the afternoon of Saturday April 7, starting at 2.15pm. The Boat Race website has detailed information for spectators, including a section on walking the course. 

Whatever and wherever you do decide to enjoy the Easter holidays, should you need car hire services to get around- choose Avis.  What are your plans this Easter?

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